Turks & Caicos - PrivateDecember 2, 2013
Hi Travelwizard
It was pure bliss! There was absolutely NOTHING that could have been improved. Yes, its true that you will read some reports on Trip Advisors or other sites about construction, but you had us on the other side of the resort and never heard any of it. We were able to get the massages you mentioned (“Zen massage” where they incorporated Pilates and Yoga stretching with deep tissue massage…unbelievable!). Our suite was actually a stand alone pavilion, with sliding glass doors on 3 sides, and the bathroom, closet, mini-bar changing area behind a wall behind the bed. Everything, candy, soda,beer, Perrier, chocolate, nuts, macaroons) except hard liquor was free, as were all local calls and calls to the US. The food was to die for, and when I kept ordering the same thing every day for lunch (cold cucumber soup, the chef offered to give me the recipe (which I took, but have yet to find…I’m still in that “state of bliss”).
We made very good use of all the beach equipment, sailed every day on a Hobie cat, sea kayaked and snorkeled (I brought my own dive equip, but they have plenty of very high end equip for guests to use). There are no life guards, per se, but I guess you’d call them beach attendants (who were very adept at swimming, so I wouldn’t worry if there was a beach emergency) kept us cool with water, cold towels, regular towels, and doing such mundane things as moving chairs to get in or out of the sun. One of them saw that I was collecting shells, and went to get me a bucket for storage! When I went in the water, he kept looking for shells for me! Just incredible, over the top, friendly guest service. The kind of service where your needs are anticipated, you don’t need to ask for something, they’ve thought of it before you have…
We found out at the last minute that we had friends staying at Grace Bay Club at the same time, and invited them to our place for dinner. Our resort arranged a car for their pick up. We asked if room service could provide some appetizers for us to have in the room before dinner. No problem. The chef gave us a menu, but then made additional suggestions for appetizers that were not on the menu, which we chose.
Everything was delivered and set it up on a recessed table (to make it seem like you are sitting on the floor) on the beach side patio outside of our room, just as the sun was dipping into the horizon. We had been forewarned that there were little “no see ’ems” (those tiny mosquitoes that come out at sunset) and brought bug spray, but the hotel provided something that smelled much nicer and did the trick as well. When we were done, we call for a ride (very nice golf carts some of which sat 6 people) to dinner. Zip.. we were there. Any time we called for a ride (which I must admit wasn’t too often, since we enjoyed the walk), it arrived within 2 or 3 minutes NO EXAGGERATION!!! When we got back to our room, all the serving dishes, plates utensils, glasses, table cloths, etc, had been cleaned away.
As an added attraction, which I’m not sure if you planned or not, there were only 9 guests, including us when we arrived; Eve Longoria and her new husband were checking out, and a group of models, agents, and catalog photographers from Victoria’s Secret checked in to use the resort as a backdrop for next year’s bathing suit collection. And, yes I did get pictures; my husband was pleasantly surprised!
I can’t thank you enough! It was more therapy than a vacation. There was no formal dress code, very quiet, very secluded and impeccable in every way. This would not be the place to go if you wanted a lot of shopping, lots of choices of clubs to go to at night, or be on a busy beach. Of course, the concierge will arrange any of those things for you if you want (off property), but we were content to just stay where we were. The ultimate question is, would we go back? ABSOLUTELY. Would we recommended it to our friends? ABSOLUTELY. Is it expensive? ABSOLUTELY, but you don’t get the feeling like you are being “nickel and dimed”, so to speak (like with the free mini bar and phone calls to the US), and the service was the best I have ever experienced.
I have emailed your name to many of my friends again (since you helped with our previous “over the top” trip to Hawaii), and I hope they get a chance to experience what value a great travel agent can provide! You truly gave us one of the most comforting, therapeutic, and luxurious experiences imaginable. Thank You doesn’t convey how much we appreciate what you were able to provide, especially on such short notice.
Warmest regards, Until next time!
